5 ms·
Would that make overdosing a criminal offense? In the UK, being treated for an overdose is an expense of the tax payer. Obviously people still overdose, and th
by was_a_dev 4y ago
Would that make overdosing a criminal offense?
In the UK, being treated for an overdose is an expense of the tax payer. Obviously people still overdose, and that expense already exists. But the legality of dangerous substances is to minimize the harm, and therefore the cost associated with that harm.
A free-for-all approach would either have to accept a greater expense (not just economically) or introduce other measures to minimize the harm.
- admissionsguy 4y agoWe treat obese people (as is probably ethical) so we can as well treat all the other self-imposed conditions without counting the pennies.
- was_a_dev 4y agoI agree. That is why the cost isn't just economical. We treat obese people while enacting laws to improve public health. Such as food quality laws.
- remote-dev 4y agoWhat would the punishment for the offense be? If it is prison time, that also costs the tax payer.
- was_a_dev 4y agoI've no idea. It's a complex arguement to make, and my few points don't do it justice. I'm sure there is an optimal balance with legality that minmizes harm and cost. I think we are on the conservative side of that balance. But going for a free-for-all approach is the other extreme side.
- bigfudge 4y agoWhether free for all drug use would be more expensive is an empirical question and- if it displaces any alcohol use — the evidence would be strongly that it would cut costs, especially if basic standards for purity were enforced.
- notch656c 4y agoThis kind of hazard that helps legitimize criminality of risky health decisions (like drug consumption) is one of the major reasons why I am against taxpayer funded healthcare.